Quote:

the Defender is not great re safety. No airbags, lots of hard surfaces, no crumple zones and, depending on your build, there is a big protruding bolt that holds the top of the driver seatbelt in the door frame just where your temple would hit in the event of a side impact, same on the passenger side. I think it's not a good performer in elk test situations either.

CS wrote:

no crumple zones

I'd only ever owned "proper" Land Rovers/Defenders up until I bought my L322 5.0 S/C back in 2018.

I started with a 1985 2.5 NA Ninety when I was 17 (which was very agricultural!), and then swapped to a 2003 110 TD5 SW that I ran for 9 years.

Personally I loved driving the 110 TD5 - compared to the previous models it was pretty refined and could easily cruise at 70+ all day long. I had it for 9 years and did a lot of miles in it, including an overland trip through the Pyrenees, and planned to keep it for many years more. I found it comfortable, even stop/starting around central London, and had fitted a full Noise Killer sound insulation kit including engine blanket, which made a big difference to overall cabin noise levels.

But then I met my now wife, and prior to the wedding she hinted that maybe, given it was mostly used for long journeys between London and Poole, I could swap the Defender for something a little bit more refined and less bouncy. The only option was a Full Fat, and being London-based I didn't want diesel, and so I ended up with the L322 5.0 S/C.

Much as I do love the L322, which obviously is in a completely different league comfort-wise, and it's great fun to have a 5.0 S/C, personally if it was just me, I'd still be in my Defender TD5 110, and I wouldn't hesitate to go back to one again.

But I think they are quite an acquired taste - I'd just never known anything different!

So Ive got a possible position that if I get one it will be a 2nd car......this could allow me to mitigate all the woes and just have it for a bit of fun instead of a stop gap car.

Been looking at SWMBO car replacement and turns out she fancies a Figuro (I reckon she will hate it but who am I to argue), so been given a lifeline on maybe buying us a joint daily driver and a 2nd car for us both which might just work as her Evoque goes back in July.......so might try and get a PHEV lease X5 xDrive45e or GLE 350de as they seem pretty decent on BIK and that gives me time to find the right Pickup as my mate says I might be better trying to find a tight 2.4d from 2010 era and get it converted myself for the exterior and interior mods.

I just bought a new Ducati Scrambler the other week so quite enjoying that so in no rush to get the Defender and it sounds like I'm going to have to wait and try one out anyway once my mate gets his back off SORN. all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

I had a 1984 V8 County 110 - it had more comfortable seating (for me) than my P38A. I loved driving it. But the aircon didn't work so it was bloody hot in summer, bloody cold in winter. Ron B. VK2OTC
2004 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

I have a Defender 90 auto as well as the RR and I tend to agree with PaulBrown22. If I had to choose I would keep the Defender but as said they are an acquired taste. Over the years I have done about 350k in two Defenders and about 150k in four RR and I find that the Defender puts the child like smile on my face whereas the RR puts a grown up smile on my face 2010 3.6TDV8 Stornoway Grey/ Black interior - gone
2005 4.4V8 (M62) Bonatti Grey/ Parchment interior - gone
1998 4.6HSE Blue/ Cream interior (can't remember exact colours) - gone
1977 White - gone (should have kept)

How did you get an Auto in the 90? Was that done by you or someone else? And what is it from? all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

Not sure on colour preference, there is a nice in my opinion one in a dealer in Kent.

2012, 44,000 miles with auto box. Some finer details need fixing, missing mudflap, tailgate has a bump.

Kentmotorcars.co.uk

Says they are doing nationwide delivery!

The gear box is a zf 4 speed, conversion either by or with a kit from Ashcrofts.

I previously had an early 90 85 c plate. Which had been converted to auto and had a 3.9 v8, parts from a classic Range Rover.
Not particularly fast but great fun. Also a bit of a money pit.

The more current conversions with the 6.2 corvette engine and five or six speed box obviously command larger budgets!

Hopefully you can find this one and it’s helpful?

Thanks Chugga, I'll take a look. all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

chugga90 wrote:

Not sure on colour preference, there is a nice in my opinion one in a dealer in Kent.

2012, 44,000 miles with auto box. Some finer details need fixing, missing mudflap, tailgate has a bump.

Kentmotorcars.co.uk

Says they are doing nationwide delivery!

Hopefully you can find this one and it’s helpful?

I had an army spec (and issued) Laro...Horribly uncomfortable, and slow, was no fun driving that to Vogelsang or Bergen Hohne. But then we swapped them out for the Mercedes G Wagon, a world of difference. Comfortable and fast both on and off road.

Considering the cost of a Defender and how cheap a 5.0V8 SC L322 can be I know what I would choose as a stop gap until a new G Wagon is build.

Out of interest, are you going for an AMG G63? If I could afford it I'd love one.

Yeah its the G63 Ive ordered. all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

CUE99T

My auto is in a TD5 ninety and is a hydraulic version of a TD5 Disco box ( came from Ashcroft Transmissions who now do a kit to fit the electronic version of the box ) there no way I would go back to a manual again. 2010 3.6TDV8 Stornoway Grey/ Black interior - gone
2005 4.4V8 (M62) Bonatti Grey/ Parchment interior - gone
1998 4.6HSE Blue/ Cream interior (can't remember exact colours) - gone
1977 White - gone (should have kept)

Sorry Drakes, I didn't see that reply. Thats interesting in your auto box......might have to know more about this.

Been chatting to friends who own Defenders and a few recommended the 2.4 actually over the 2.2

I'm trying to find a decent 2007 onwards 2.4TDCi - 110 Double Cab Pickup but with leccy windows, heated seats and windscreen, ABS but. not rusted to bits!!


Theres a nice black one on ebay but its a basic with none of the bits mentioned above so have spokent to the guy and seems a decent seller but I felt I'd be buying it wrong. all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

Which one did you roll over?